Data with Linda
WIOA legislation was effective July 1, 2016. In order to continue receiving federal funding, ABE programs are required to collect additional data not previously asked for as part of WIA.
The ABE database( which housed students, attendance, classes, buildings, volunteers, and staff) used since 2006 was rebuilt to add additional state and federal data fields and would include the new NRS( National Reporting System) tables. The new system, SID( Student Information Database), was launched in Minnesota in July.
A new feature( person search) was added to SID that allows ABE staff in local programs to share testing, site and attendance information about ABE learners. This means when a learner arrives at a MN ABE location to enroll, and has attended ABE classes elsewhere in Minnesota, staff can complete a“ data merge.” The“ person search” and“ data merge” features have proven challenging to staff managing databases but are invaluable to our learners for accessing their records as ABE learners frequently move between programs.
Local data had historically been collected on our learners for the purpose of evaluating and reporting to our Community Education Board of Directors. With SID, our ABE Learner Entry Data Collection Form needed updating.
The new form was developed in January 2017 to include the updated WIOA, State, and local data collection requirements including:
• Identify barriers to employment.
• Have you exhausted TANF benefits?
• Do you identify as homeless / runaway youth?
• Are you considered low income?
• Are you a single parent?
• Are you disabled?
• Are you a youth in foster care / or have you aged out of the system?
Our registration / intake / orientation staff script also received an update. This script provides staff key language to incoming learners to help them understand what information is recorded on the data collection forms.
The previous federal reporting tables, which had reported on skill gains, GED ® completions, Diploma completions, entering employment, retaining employment, entering post-secondary, and / or training, will now include measurable skills gains, periods of participation( exiting and reentering ABE), and credential attainment indicators.
Student Spotlight: Anny Robinson
There are just some people who you know will fulfill their dreams. Lakkhana Robinson, or“ Anny” is originally from Sisaket province, in northeast Thailand. Her father worked as a mechanic and her mother had a restaurant in the only room that served as her family’ s home. During the day, people would come to their home to eat at the restaurant. At night, Anny and her family slept on the floor in the same room.
Anny’ s grandmother took care of her while her parents were working. They would dig up frogs and crabs and cook them for dinner. Anny says that her grandmother was a very good cook. Anny states,“ It’ s still the best food I have ever eaten!”
After Anny graduated from high school, she went to Mahasarakhan University to earn a degree in Science Statistics. After college, Anny met and married an American man. They moved to Chicago, but the marriage didn’ t last. Anny moved to Nantucket, Massachusetts to nanny for a famous author’ s( who shall remain unnamed!) children. Eventually, Anny met a Minnesota man, Paul, with whom she fell madly in love. Since he was from Minnesota, Anny came here to get married. They have a beautiful 4 year old daughter, Lalana.
Anny came to ABE with the goal to pass the Para Pro test, which she has and found a full time job as an Educational Assistant in Special Education with the St. Francis school district. Anny’ s family recently purchased 20 acres of land to begin working towards her dreams of farm life. She wants to start an organic vegetable
greenhouse to sell produce at farmer’ s markets and other local shops.
Metro North Adult Basic Education | Ph: 763-783-4870 | www. MetroNorthABE. org FEBRUARY 2017 7